Alexandre Pantoja's opponent says UFC is rooting for the Brazilian to lose

Kai Asakura will be Pantoja's next rival. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The main fight of UFC 310, last pay per view of 2024, brings a type of confrontation that is rarely seen at the highest level of the sport. New to the organization, Kai Asakura has already arrived at the biggest MMA event of the world facing Alexandre pantoja for the flyweight world title (up to 56,7 kg). Even though this is the first fight of the former Rizin bantamweight champion (up to 61 kg) in the West, he claims that he has the support of the company's bosses.

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In an interview with the North American website 'MMA Junkie', Asakura had no doubts when stating that a triumph over Pantoja would be in line with the Ultimate's wishes for the future of the category.

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“Let’s be honest: It will be good business for the UFC if I win. I’m here to make it exciting, to make people interested in the flyweight division and to have a bunch of new fights ready for future shows. I hope one day Dana White turns to the public and says I’m a special knockout artist, a knockout machine,” said the Japanese fighter.

This will be Pantoja's third title defense, having won six straight and not lost since 2020. The champion, also in a chat with MMA Junkie, said that if Asakura's allegations are true, a victory would be even more satisfying.

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Alexandre pantoja receives belt after UFC 301. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

“I think it’s good if he’s right because for me it will be better. For him it’s a motivation to go to the UFC. He’s a big star. He knows how to be a star in Japan. Now he has the opportunity to be a big star in the world, and that makes me more excited to have the opportunity to fight a guy like him,” said the Brazilian.

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Kai Asakura

At 31 years old and with 25 fights on his record, Kai Asakura is one of the biggest names in Japanese MMA. A stand-up fighter, he has finished 13 fights by knockout, in addition to defeating names such as Manel kape and Kioji Horiguchi. If he wins the main fight of the UFC 310, the fighter will make history and become the first Japanese in history to win a belt in the Ultimate.